West Indies is the defending champion, while Pakistan has qualified for every World T20 semifinal so far, making this a must-watch, virtual quarterfinal clash
Both Pakistan and West Indies are in a do or die situation, with the winner going through to the ICC World Twenty20 semifinal alongwith India from Group 2. The spin friendly pitches should suit both attacks, with the likes of Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi, Zulfiqar Babar and Mohammad Hafeez leading the charge for Pakistan and West Indies ably served by Sunil Narine and Samuel Badree, the top-ranked bowlers in T20Is.
Both sides are capable of producing explosive cricket, but with the high stakes, the team that holds its nerve best might well come out the winner at the end. Here is a look at some of the key battles and facts ahead of this all-important clash.
Facts:
These teams have met three times in T20Is, with Pakistan winning two matches to West Indies’ one.
Pakistan is seeking to maintain its record of being the only team to reach the semi-finals of every ICC World Twenty20 tournament.
The three previous T20Is between these teams have produced one half-century – Lendl Simmons hit 65 in West Indies’ win at Gros Islet in April 2011.
Samuel Badree’s T20I economy rate of 5.44 since the start of 2013 is the lowest of any bowler.
Four of the seven most experienced T20I players in terms of appearances play for Pakistan – Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez.
Approaching Milestones:
Darren Sammy will become the first player to bat 50 times for West Indies in T20Is if he reaches the crease.
Denesh Ramdin needs one catch to become the first wicket-keeper to take 30 T20I catches.
Shahid Afridi and Kamran Akmal are in line to become the first players to feature in 30 ICC World Twenty20 matches.
Key Battles:
Saeed Ajmal v Sunil Narine
Mystery spin was always going to play an important role in this tournament and these bowlers are prominent exponents of the art. Sunil Narine has maintained an economy rate of 4.66 in his 12 overs in the tournament to date, claiming three wickets in the process. It is unsurprising that he has one of the highest Opta Key Performance Indicators for restriction in the tournament.
Narine is adept at operating in the death overs – he conceded five runs in bowling the 18th over of Australia’s innings in his team’s crucial victory last time out – and in 27 T20I innings has conceded more than eight runs per over just six times.
Saeed Ajmal poses a greater wicket threat but has been slightly easier to score off recently – his four tournament wickets have come at a cost of 6.45 runs per over. He took 2-21 off four overs in the last T20I meeting between these teams, in July 2013.
Both sides are capable of producing explosive cricket, but with the high stakes, the team that holds its nerve best might well come out the winner at the end. Here is a look at some of the key battles and facts ahead of this all-important clash.
Facts:
These teams have met three times in T20Is, with Pakistan winning two matches to West Indies’ one.
Pakistan is seeking to maintain its record of being the only team to reach the semi-finals of every ICC World Twenty20 tournament.
The three previous T20Is between these teams have produced one half-century – Lendl Simmons hit 65 in West Indies’ win at Gros Islet in April 2011.
Samuel Badree’s T20I economy rate of 5.44 since the start of 2013 is the lowest of any bowler.
Four of the seven most experienced T20I players in terms of appearances play for Pakistan – Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez.
Approaching Milestones:
Darren Sammy will become the first player to bat 50 times for West Indies in T20Is if he reaches the crease.
Denesh Ramdin needs one catch to become the first wicket-keeper to take 30 T20I catches.
Shahid Afridi and Kamran Akmal are in line to become the first players to feature in 30 ICC World Twenty20 matches.
Key Battles:
Saeed Ajmal v Sunil Narine
Mystery spin was always going to play an important role in this tournament and these bowlers are prominent exponents of the art. Sunil Narine has maintained an economy rate of 4.66 in his 12 overs in the tournament to date, claiming three wickets in the process. It is unsurprising that he has one of the highest Opta Key Performance Indicators for restriction in the tournament.
Narine is adept at operating in the death overs – he conceded five runs in bowling the 18th over of Australia’s innings in his team’s crucial victory last time out – and in 27 T20I innings has conceded more than eight runs per over just six times.
Saeed Ajmal poses a greater wicket threat but has been slightly easier to score off recently – his four tournament wickets have come at a cost of 6.45 runs per over. He took 2-21 off four overs in the last T20I meeting between these teams, in July 2013.
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